[Edaily Reporter Yun Junghoon ]KTCorporation(030200)has been recognized for significantly enhancing its AI and cloud capabilities through a strategic partnership with Microsoft (MS). The company has now clearly outlined its “open ecosystem” strategy, which aims to expand partnerships across the board with domestic and international companies without relying on any specific Big Tech firm.

In response to a question about the results of the collaboration with Microsoft at the press conference on the 6th, KTCorporation CEO Park Yoon-young stated, “We have achieved clear results by securing new customers based on Microsoft Azure and operating KTCorporation’s cloud resources with even greater stability,” adding, “Through this collaboration, the AX (AI transformation) capabilities of KTCorporation’s own staff have also improved significantly.”

However, CEO Park made it clear that the focus of the collaboration would be on “diversification” rather than “going all-in on Microsoft.” This is interpreted as a shift toward a balanced strategy in response to concerns about “dependence on foreign big tech companies”—which surfaced when KTCorporation signed a multi-trillion-won contract with Microsoft—as well as criticisms raised during the National Assembly audit.

CEO Park said, “Our basic stance on cooperation with Microsoft is not changing,” but added, “Rather than relying too heavily on a single partner, we will expand our network of global partners in line with diversifying customer needs and market changes.”

Accordingly, KTCorporation plans to solidify its leadership in South Korea’s AX ecosystem by building a diversified AI alliance that encompasses not only global leaders such as Google and Palantir but also promising domestic AI startups like Upstage, Rebellion, and SALTLUX Inc.